The Karnataka BJP faced fresh trouble on Thursday after a sex CD, allegedly of MLA K Raghupathy Bhat from coastal district of Udupi, was circulated on Thursday. HT reports.

The Karnataka BJP faced fresh trouble on Thursday after a sex CD, allegedly of MLA K Raghupathy Bhat from coastal district of Udupi, was circulated on Thursday.

Soon after television channels started airing clips of the sex romp reportedly shot in a Mumbai lodge on February 11, Bhat declared that he would not contest the May 5 assembly elections.

"Some people with the intention of conspiracy created the CD. I was never into such business and I demand that the government should find out the truth," Bhat told media.

He, however, added that he would not contest to avoid possible embarrassment to the BJP.

BJP state president Prahlad Joshi told reporters in Bangalore that this was purely a personal case and had nothing to do with party matters. "This will not give the party a negative image," he said, adding the party will verify the facts and then take suitable action on the MLA.

Though Bhat had played a key role in facilitating many developmental programmes in his constituency, he had earlier invited the displeasure of the party for questionable behaviour when his wife went missing.

Padmapriya went missing in November 2008 and was found hanging in a Delhi lodge, under mysterious circumstances. There were allegations that Bhat was involved in the case following which he even faced protests.

Earlier, the party's image was sullied by ministers watching porn in the assembly and former minister Renukacharya involved in a sexual harassment case.